The Vatican's chief investigator has today insisted that Ireland's most senior cleric has no case to answer regarding renewed allegations of mishandling of allegations against the paedophile Brendan Smyth.

Monsignor Denis O'Callaghan - who was responsible for child protection in the diocese of Cloyne - has admitted that he should have resigned as a child protection delegate.

MASS-GOERS in the Taoiseach’s home constituency of Castlebar had plenty of praise for him following his scathing attack on the Vatican this week.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter expresses "sorrow and profound apology" to any child in Cloyne failed by the State.

ARCHBISHOP Dermot Clifford has issued an apology to a young man who was sexually abused by a priest who was supposed to be hearing his confession.

A senior Catholic Bishop has asked his congregation to pray for victims of clerical sex abuse as he stepped down to help a state inquiry probing allegations against some of his priests.

The Pope has appointed the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dermot Clifford, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Cloyne in Cork.